new and unknown orchids

[Cynthia1277]

Hi, I went to my first orchid show today and it was awsome! I only have 4 NOID phalaenopsis orchids, so I decided to get 2 new orchids because they were so pretty! A paphilopedilum and dendrobium kingianum.

I new to orchids so please bear with me, I'm going to type down all the info I have on these 2 plants, and if there is anything I'm doing wrong or could do or improve on please help me out, Thanks!

I live in Ontario, Canada. I plan to have these plants in an eastern window with an air vent near by but it only blows a warm gentle breeze a couple of times a day (i can provide a humidifier if needed, but my phals are doing fine there). There's no direct sunshine in the afternoon, but a little in the morning, between 7-9am.

My paphilopedilum is a Paph.Hsinying Citron '#20' X Hsinying Spring Green 'Spring' (I type eveything that was on the name tag of the plant, does anyone know what the #20 mean?) and I'm going to repot it when it finish blooming. As I was doing some research on how to care for this plant, I learned that some paph need extra calcium, so I was wondering if my paph need any, does anyone know? There is alot of info on the internet but I didn't find anything on this paph needing calcium though, so I just want to post this to make sure. Also any helpful tips on caring for this plant would be of a great help!

The dendrobium kingianum is a Den.Gillieston Jazz 'Steven' X Den. (Louise Raindow X Zip) any tips on growing this?

Also could anyone explain the meaning to their names? its so long, I don't know if the whole thing is its name or is its parentage in there too?

Again, I'm very sorry for the length of this post, thank for taking the time to read it.

[Kevinator]

The paphiopedilum looks like a maudiae type hybrid according to searches on google. I have one of these kinds and they are among the hardiest paphs. No calcium is needed. I potted mine in fine bark in a plastic lot with slits on the side. It seems to do fine like this. Do not let it dry out completely but do let it dry somewhat. Other than that, give it care like your normal phals although slightly higher lighting (up to a point) will give better results.

For dendrobium kinganium, I suggest you read this article: http://www.aos.org/Default.aspx?id=169

[silken]

Welcome to Orchid Board. I don't grow too many Paphs so maybe someone else can answer regarding the calcium requirements.

Your Den is not really a kingianum. It is a hybrid with 30% Den. kingianum in it as well as some other species. It actually has a registered name of Den. Purple Cluster and looks pretty cool. I am attaching a page from OrchidWiz which shows its parentage.

It can take bright to medium light. And seems OK with warmer or cooler conditions. Because it is a cross of several species it has more tolerance than some. It should be kept slightly moist during summer when actively growing and a little drier during winter if it is kept cooler. I don't think this would need a cool rest as it has some warm growing parentage in it. Hope that helps.

[Cynthia1277]

Thanks for all your help and the warm welcome, I really appreciate it! This is really interesting! I hope you don't mind me asking more questions, but regarding the Den. Purple Cluster picture you have on OrchidWiz, my plant doesn't look like that, there is no clear white parts on the flower. I'm really interested in knowing more about my plant, so I included a picture, do you think its something different? Thanks!

[Cynthia1277]

Thank you! I'm planning to repot it in medium fir bark and sphagnum moss in a clear pot with side ventilation holes.

[PaphMadMan]

Your Paphiopedilum is a hybrid that has not been named yet, so the tag lists the complete names of both parents. There is nothing you can do to simplify that for now. The #20 just means the breeder had so many plants of that hybrid that they were given numbers to identify them rather than names.

It is a typical Maudiae-type Paph, and general Paph care instructions you find will work for this type. It should be among the very easiest orchids to grow for most people. Just don't over-water. It does not need calcium supplementation as some Paphs do.

It would probably be best to wait until spring to repot it unless it has new growth visible. The flower could last for weeks yet but sometimes they go fast after going through all the stress that comes with an orchid show.

[silken]

Originally Posted by Cynthia1277

Thanks for all your help and the warm welcome, I really appreciate it! This is really interesting! I hope you don't mind me asking more questions, but regarding the Den. Purple Cluster picture you have on OrchidWiz, my plant doesn't look like that, there is no clear white parts on the flower. I'm really interested in knowing more about my plant, so I included a picture, do you think its something different? Thanks!

I Googled one from Sunset Valley and it is plain purple but very dark. I just went by what was on your tag to find out what it was. It could be the wrong tag is in your pot or that they are seedlings and very variable in looks. There are a lot of species in that cross so some could take on different characteristics. Really hard to say and I couldn't find any other pics of this one.

[This Side of Paradise]

Guessing you were at the soos show today, I was there too. You picked some nice hardy hybrids. Good luck

[Atzau]

I'll be going to the soos tomorrow as well. Let's hope I'm able to show some restraint! :rolleyes: